Udinese vs Cesena preview - Handanovic looking for home comfort

Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic is confident he and his team-mates can preserve their impressive run at home when they entertain Cesena.

The Bianconeri, currently third in Serie A with 32 points, have won seven of their eight league games at the Stadio Friuli and Handanovic is pleased to begin the new year at home.

"We have done really well in Udine so far," he said. "We hope and believe that we can continue to get good results at the Friuli stadium.

"We have worked intensely during the Christmas break and we are looking forward for the first game of the year."

Francesco Guidolin's men have reason to be confident for they have conceded just two goals while scoring 14 times at home so far.

Opponents Cesena head into Sunday's game with the worst goal record in the league, with just eight goals scored in 16 games.

The Romagna club have yet to reinforce their attacking line in the winter transfer window.

In the meantime, Cesena coach Daniele Arrigoni will have to rely on Adrian Mutu to deliver in front of goal.

Mutu, who is the only Cesena striker to have scored this season, will partner Erjon Bogdani in attack.

Cesena go into the encounter on the back of a 4-1 defeat at Atalanta, their second straight loss, that left them 19th in the standings, three points behind safety.

The visitors are without strikers Jorge Martinez and Abdelkader Ghezzal, with the former out injured and the latter suspended.

Udinese, who held Serie A leaders Juventus to a goalless draw last time out, will be without injured Brazilian striker Paulo Barreto.